. Time: GMT +2 hours

. Currency: Kwacha (ZK)

. Language: English

. People: About 99% of the population are made up of over 70 indigenous tribal groups - the major groups are Bemba, Kunda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale and Tonga

. Economy: The majority of people are engaged in subsistence farming and another big sector is industry, which is mainly concentrated around copper mining

. Banks: There are banks in all the major towns and cities, most are open from 9:00 to 14:30, Mondays to Fridays, and 9:00 - 11:30 on Saturdays
. Credit Cards: Are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and the bigger shops

. Tipping: Tipping is discouraged as it is included as service charge on your bill

. Public transport: There is a good bus service to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare and visitors are advised to check timetables at the main bus terminus in Dedan Kimathi road in Lusaka. There are also private bus companies with more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg

. Air travel: Since many of the tourist areas are remote and distances are great, air travel is the most popular method of getting around Zambia. There are a number of private air companies working out of Lusaka feeding people into the remote areas

. Roads: Zambia has received much bad press because of bad roads, but all the main routes are in the process of being fixed up. There are not a lot of road signs and driving at night is not recommended. Stick to the main routes and avoid going in to the remote regions without a 4x4 vehicle

. Vehicle Permits: If you bring your car into Zambia, you must get a temporary import permit (TIP). If you are not the owner, you must get a letter of authorization from the owner for use of the vehicle in Zambia. Consult your local AA office for any changes to this policy before you leave

. When to go: Each of the seasons offers visitors different experiences of Zambia. The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after the rainy season but are generally regarded as a year round destination with white water activities at their best in November and December.Game viewing is excellent year round and in the drier months of June through October remote areas become accessible and walking bushcamps are in operation.